Green Party leaders back striking teachers

Youngsters support striking teachers in West Yorkshire

Green Party Deputy leader, Cllr Will Duckworth, spoke to striking teachers in Stourbridge yesterday during their one day action over pensions, pay and conditions.

 Duckworth said: “I was a mathematics teacher for 30 years. Teachers care about children and only take strike action as a last resort.”

“Michael Gove’s continuing attacks on teachers pensions, pay and conditions of service are demoralising the profession on which we all rely for educating the next generation.”

“Forcing schools to become academies began under Labour. Academies set school against school, introducing competition instead of cooperation.”

“The pressure for heads to bully their staff has also meant increases in stress and anxiety amongst teachers.”

“We need to work with trade unionists and sympathetic groups and individuals to tell this government that we need to save our vital services and keep them in public ownership.”

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, will join striking teachers on a picket line in Brighton on 17 October.